I am particularly grateful for your interest in the important topic of poverty in America. It is only with your help that the Catholic Campaign for Human Development can awaken the consciences of people of good will to the scandal of poverty within this, the richest of nations. The sad reality is that 33 million people – that is, one in every six children, one in every eight adults, and one in every ten families - live in poverty in the United States.

This Bicycle tour has helped to spread the good news as well. There is hope for the future when dangerous and rundown neighborhoods are transformed, schools are improved, children find a place to stay, decent housing is found, and health services are made available –thanks to the efforts of community-based, self-help projects such as those funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

As is quite evident today, CCHD has taken this good news on the road – literally!

Two dozen dedicated cyclists rode across the nation to raise awareness about poverty and the empowering solutions made possible as a result of support received by CCHD from Catholic parishioners and other generous donors. As they pedaled their way over mountains and through valleys, the riders conducted educational sessions most evenings. At each session, participants were encouraged to take a pledge to break the cycle of poverty in the USA by confronting the issue directly – they pledged to think about poverty, to talk about it, and to take action. In addition to the core group of riders traveling from San Francisco to D.C., there have been many local solidarity rides throughout the country. In fact, a group cycled from Connecticut to Baltimore where they joined the core group to finish the ride into DC and they are among the riders present here today.

In closing, I would like to introduce and thank Father Robert Vitillo, Executive Director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and the two women on his staff who organized this great effort …Mary Wright and Lee Anne Adams. Finally, I would like to congratulate and thank all the riders for their spirit, dedication and enthusiasm for this worthy cause.

When the Catholic bishops of the United States established the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in 1970, they challenged the Catholic population of this country to take very seriously Jesus’ mandate to love your neighbor as yourself – and to change the social conditions and injustices that make and keep people poor! Those who rode in Brake the Cycle heard and followed Jesus’ call in an inspiring and creative manner.

May God bless you all.